Using the OMS system, DNA IL-12 (a plasmid DNA construct with instructions to produce the IL-12 protein) is delivered into the electroporated cells. Upon entry, the gene triggers each cell to produce and secrete the IL-12 protein, which in turn identifies and eliminates cancerous cells as part of a natural immune response.

Introducing pro-inflammatory cytokine proteins into the body as a potential anti-cancer therapy has produced encouraging data. For example, interleukin-12 (IL-12) cytokine is a naturally occurring protein that activates and increases the levels of circulating macrophages and cytotoxic T-cells. In turn, this activity eliminates both foreign organisms and emerging cancerous cells.

In the past, cytokines were not considered a viable anti-cancer therapy because toxic levels were required to achieve an effective dose. However, when cytokines are delivered using DNA and the OMS system, effective results can be achieved with a significantly reduced dosage, making this a viable treatment for both local and metastatic melanoma.

Initial evidence suggests that this gene therapy has the potential to not only treat cancer cells in the target area, but to also trigger immune responses affecting remote cancer cells outside the direct treatment area including distant lesions.